So this is kind of a conundrum, but I'm not sure on the legalities of maintaining my RN license as a medical student. Being a nurse is a major part of who I am, I worked hard for my license and don't like the thought of letting it expire.
However, and I know it's different for NP's as they have to keep up their nursing licensure, but once you become an NP, I believe that there are legalities in regards to practicing as an RN in reference to scope of practice and I'm not sure how those legalities will effect me. I believe medical students work under the license of their attending, as we were under the license of our instructor in nursing school.
Should I renew my license or should I let it expire? I would like to keep it active out of principle, but do not want to have anything fall back onto me as a medical student in case something were to happen with a patient. Recommendations?
Not to be a Negative Nelly but I would hold on to it in case you, for some reason, cannot finish med school. I had to take a break from school when my husband lost his job so I was thankful I had my previous license to fall back on until I could resume. Emergencies happen so I find it better to be prepared.
Not everyone passes med school or step 3 to get their license- and not everyone finishes due to unexpected life circumstances. I would keep it at least until you get your first attending job- at that point you should be secure in your field.
May as well keep it. If you had an aprn license then went back to med school I might think otherwise. At least once 3/4 year start. I say aprn since in the rare case your attending gets litigated they might drag you into it
If you are using regular CNEs then no big deal, but if you are trying to use the medical school classes for academic credit check with your BON first. My state doesn't allow them so I will have to get my CNEs from elsewhere. If everything goes well I'll join you in med school Fall 2021. I absolutely will keep my nursing license so I can pick up shifts.
SandIsMyGlitterRN, BSN, RN
109 Posts
Not to be a Negative Nelly but I would hold on to it in case you, for some reason, cannot finish med school. I had to take a break from school when my husband lost his job so I was thankful I had my previous license to fall back on until I could resume. Emergencies happen so I find it better to be prepared.